SYDNEY: Pakistan’s leading allrounder Nida Dar has called for more opportunities for Pakistan’s players at international and domestic level to bridge the gap between them and the best in the world. Speaking in Sydney ahead of final ODI against Australia, she said “we can only improve when we play a lot of matches against the best teams.”
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Her comments came after two consecutive ODI defeats at the hands of Australia, first by eight wickets and second by ten wickets.
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Nida Dar said “we need more matches to minimise the gap with the best teams.” She said “always wanted to play Australia and share the experience, learn from [them], but the thing is as a team we need more exposure and more matches against Australia. We definitely learn a lot and that’s what we want.”
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She said “definitely it is very important for the players in Pakistan to play international leagues like Big Bash or Hundred to improve,” adding “we have potential, we have had three players of the month for ICC [last year], but we need to show the skills while playing international leagues or series against the best teams.
Responding to a question, Nida Dar said “it’s a very important time for the girls, especially in Pakistan, so we need more international matches, more international leagues, so they can grow up earlier so we can have competitive matches and series against the best teams. This is the time that we have to go to different leagues and watch what other players are doing. If we go into the leagues, we can bring that experience back to Pakistan.”
She further said “whenever we get a chance to meet them we always talk about cricket, talk about their routines, what they are practising,” adding that “they are very [helpful] and I know myself, they are very good at that. If you ask them, they will always tell you.”
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It may be added here that the ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will be followed by three T20Is in Sydney, Hobart and Canberra, which provide preparation ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup.
